British Airways has just announced a status match exclusively for Canadian and US residents who hold elite status with select airlines.

If you’re eligible, you can match to British Airways Silver or Gold Tier for six months, with the possibility of extending it further with paid flights.

British Airways doesn’t typically run as many status match campaigns as other airlines, which makes this opportunity particularly intriguing if you’re eligible.

Matching Status with British Airways

British Airways has launched a new status match campaign that specifically targets Canadian and American frequent flyers.

To qualify for the status match, you must be a resident of Canada or the United States, have a British Airways Executive Club membership, and hold the following status tiers with the specified airlines:

If you hold any of the aforementioned status levels and are eligible for the status match, head to the British Airways status match landing page to submit your request before May 7, 2024.

You’ll need to provide the following information to British Airways for your status match request:

• Proof of identification (passport or drivers license)
• Proof of status, with your full name, current status, validity date of status, airline or program with which you hold status, and your frequent flyer number

If you have status with Air Canada, you can take a screenshot of your status from the Air Canada app, which has all of the requested information. 

Once you submit the application, you’ll hear back within five business days from British Airways. If you’re approved, you’ll receive a confirmation email, along with an upgraded digital membership card, and your matched status will be valid for six months.

You can extend the validity of your British Airways status through to the end of your next membership year by booking and travelling on two paid transatlantic segments within six months of being upgraded.

The flights must be a British Airways-marketed flight in business class (Club World) or First Class, and must be operated by British Airways, American Airlines, or Finnair. Your flights must originate from the US, Canada, or Mexico, and they must be eligible for earning Tier Points and collecting Avios.

Keep in mind that you can get 10% off British Airways flights if you pay with the RBC® British Airways Visa Infinite†, which can make a good deal even better.

As with any status match opportunity, there’s absolutely no harm in participating if you’re eligible. You never know when having status will come in handy, so if you’re eligible, send in your status match request and then keep an eye out for transatlantic flight deals in business class and First Class to extend it further.

British Airways Silver & Gold Tier Benefits

British Airways has three elite status Tiers: Bronze, Silver, and Gold. 

Through this status match opportunity, you can match into the upper two status Tiers, which come with a number of perks and benefits.

Matching to British Airways Silver Tier grants you the following benefits:

• oneworld Sapphire status (see below)
• Priority check-in at business class counters
• Free seat selection at the time of booking for yourself and companions on the same booking
• Priority boarding
• Status freeze for maternity/paternity/adoption
• 8 Avios per £1 spent on flights with British Airways and American Airlines
• 7 Avios per £1 or €1 spent on flights with Iberia
• Two free checked bags of up to 32kg (70lbs) each for yourself and companions on the same booking, except for basic economy fares
• Access to business lounges, plus one guest
• Dedicated support hotline
• Reservation Assurance: guaranteed seat when booking a full, flexible economy fare

Silver Tier status with British Airways Executive Club is equivalent to oneworld Sapphire status, which grants you the following benefits when flying with a oneworld or oneworld Connect airline:

• Priority check-in at business class counters
• Access to preferred or pre-reserved seating
• Priority waitlist and standby
• Access to business class lounges
• Priority boarding
• Extra baggage allowance

Of the above benefits, the best perks are having access to business class lounges when travelling in any class of service, priority check-in and boarding, free seat selection at the time of booking, and an increased baggage allowance. 

Keep in mind that these benefits apply when flying in any class of service with oneworld and oneworld Connect airlines, which can be very useful if you travel in economy.

If you’re eligible to status match to British Airways Gold Tier, you’ll enjoy the following perks and benefits:

• oneworld Emerald status (see below)
• Priority check-in at First Class or business class counters
• Free seat selection at the time of booking for yourself and companions, even if they’re on a separate booking
• Priority boarding
• Status freeze for maternity/paternity/adoption
• 9 Avios per £1 spent on flights with British Airways and American Airlines
• 8 Avios per £1 or €1 spent on flights with Iberia
• Additional checked bag of up to 32kg (70lbs) each for member and companions on the same booking, except for basic economy fares
• Access to First Class lounges, plus one guest
• Access to business class lounges, plus one guest
• Access to arrivals lounges for yourself only
• Dedicated support hotline
• Reservation Assurance: guaranteed seat when booking a full, flexible economy fare

In addition to the above, Gold members receive Gold Priority Rewards, which unlock otherwise unavailable award seats on any cabin for double the regular Avios. These rewards must be booked at least 30 days in advance by phone.

Gold status with British Airways Executive Club is equivalent to top-tier oneworld Emerald status, which grants you the following benefits when flying with a oneworld or oneworld Connect airline:

• Priority check-in at First Class or business class counters
• Access to preferred or pre-reserved seating
• Priority waitlist and standby
• Access to First Class and business class lounges
• Priority boarding
• Extra baggage allowance
• Fast-track at security checkpoints

Notably, having British Airways Gold Tier status grants you access to First Class lounges, which is one of the best perks that comes with oneworld Emerald status.

Otherwise, the benefits largely mirror those at the Silver Tier, though you’ll get some extra baggage, better airport priority services, an increased earning rate on paid flights, and access to arrivals lounges.

Conclusion

The current British Airways status match opportunity is a great way for you to enjoy some extra perks on British Airways and oneworld flights.

If you’re eligible, head to the status match landing page and submit your request before May 7, 2024.

British Airways rarely offers status matches, which makes this a great opportunity to see what oneworld Sapphire or Emerald status is all about!

†Terms and conditions apply. Refer to the RBC website for up-to-date information.